Program Overview

Biosystems Analytics & Technology

Overview

The Biosystems Technology & Analytics (BTA) curriculum is intended to prepare students for careers in the 4th Industrial Revolution which is the intersection of science, technology, and analytics. Meeting the grand challenges of tomorrow will require a convergence of new ideas, approaches, and technologies from diverse disciplines. In addition to general education requirements, our students will obtain foundational training in the tools needed to solve the grand challenges of the future: science (3 years of science courses: 1 year biology, 1 year chemistry, half-year physics, and half-year of either microbiology, biochemistry, or genetics), technology (1 semester of sensors and controls, 1 semester of remote sensing, 2 semesters of computer skills), and 5 courses of data science and analytics (1 semester of data science, 1 semester of statistics, 1 semester of bioinformatics, 2 semesters of analytics). Students in this program will be able to use those tools to engage technology and data challenges in precision agriculture, remote sensing, water management, statistical informatics, data-mining, and cyberinfrastructure development. Given massive unstructured "big data" streaming from sensors, controls, cloud repositories, and the interactive web, data-driven discovery is now possible. Still, converting this knowledge into action to solve real-world problems in the life sciences requires a merger of data science, biology and physics, and applied engineering (also known as the 4th Industrial Revolution). These efforts require innovative and integrated educational pathways in applied statistics, computer science, and engineering technology. The Biosystems Engineering department is well-positioned to bring together these interdisciplinary skills into a solid program in the life sciences and this emerging program in Biosystems Technology & Analytics: 4 faculty in water resources, 6 faculty in the analytics of biological data, 5 faculty in modeling and sensors for agriculture and bioreactors, and 4 faculty in field-level precision agriculture (note that some of the faculty have more than one area of expertise). The goal of this proposed program is to create an inspirational and transformative training experience that integrates intellectual merit with real world, hands-on experiences across disciplines (genomics, precision agriculture, data science, and engineering technology); scales (molecules to models); and trainees (from undergraduate students to graduate students). With the backdrop of the new information age, these emerging areas of engineering technology and applied data science warrant the need for a new program in Biosystems Technology & Analytics. This program will train students to take a true systems-level approach to understanding the relationships across food, water, and energy for a sustainable future by providing skills in sensors and remote sensing (data acquisition), statistics and bioinformatics (data management and analytics), and applying these tools to solve real-world problems.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate the ability to assess and solve problems.
• Investigate, explain, critique, and integrate principles from math and sciences such as biology, microbiology, metagenomics, chemistry, statistics, computing, and programming for application in sustainable biological systems.
• Conduct experiments and analyze and interpret data.
• Apply quantitative principles to solve problems.
• Demonstrate the ability to work in teams integrating science and technology to solve problems involving sustainable biological systems.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrate an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.

Program Details

Sample Courses

• BE 310: Introduction to Biosystems Analytics
• BE 485: Remote Sensing Data and Methods
• BE 487: Metagenomics: From Genes to Ecosystems

Career Fields

• Academics
• Agriculture
• Cyberinfrastructure
• Environment
• Medical

Level of Math

Substantial Knowledge

This strand involves skill and facility with calculus. The S-strand begins at one of two calculus options - MATH 122A/B (Functions for Calculus and First-Semester Calculus) or MATH 125 (Calculus I). Students who successfully complete the S-strand may continue on to MATH 129 (Calculus II), MATH 223 (Vector Calculus), or beyond. Those who choose but are not ready to begin the S-strand will be required to take preparatory work.

Level of Second Language

2nd Semester Proficiency

Second-semester skill level in a second language is required. Non-B.A. degree students may fulfill this requirement with one of the following options: 1. Scoring the equivalent of second-semester skill level on an entrance or placement examination administered by The University of Arizona. 2. Completion with a C or better of a second semester course at the post-secondary level. 3. An AP (Advanced Placement), IB (International Baccalaureate) or CLEP (College Level Entrance Program) language score determined by the individual language department. 4. In the College of Engineering by a method determined within the College; however, all students in the college must also take a language placement examination on entrance to the University.

Pre-major Required?

No

This Major's College

College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sci

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Sample Plans

4-Year Sample Plan

• First Year
  • 1st Semester
    • Intro to Biosystems Analytics & Technology using CURE (3)
    • First Year Composition I (3)
    • Introductory Biology I (MCB 181L, MCB 181R, or PLS 240) (4)
    • Second Language first semester (4)
    • Introduction to the General Education Experience (Entry Course) (1)
  • 2nd Semester
    • Basic Computing Skills of Office Applications (BAT120) (3)
    • ENGL First Year Composition II (3)
    • Introductory Biology II (ECOL182L, ECOL182R, or MIC 205A, MIC 205L) (4)
    • Second Language Second Semester Proficiency (4)
    • Math Calculus I (MATH 122A & MATH 122B or Math 125) (3)
• Second Year
  • 3rd Semester
    • Introduction to Biosystems Analytics, Technology & Engineering (2)
    • Data Science (ISTA 116, or ESOC 214 or ISTA 130 or ISTA 131 or CSC 110) (3)
    • General Chemistry I (CHEM 151, or CHEM 141 & 143, or CHEM 161 & 163 ) (satisfies Nats) (4)
    • Elective (students who take MATH122A & B do not need to take this requirement) (2)
    • GE Core: Artist (3)
  • 4th Semester
    • Engineering Analytic Computer Skills (BAT 205) (3)
    • Introduction to Sensors & Controls (BAT 247) (3)
    • General Chemistry II (CHEM 142, CHEM 144, CHEM 152, CHEM 162, CHEM 164) (4)
    • Statistics (AREC 239 or BIOS 376 or MATH 263) (3)
    • GE Core: Humanist (3)
• Third Year
  • 5th Semester
    • Introduction to Biosystems Analytics (BAT 310, Fall only) (3)
    • Science Communication/ Writing (ALC 422 or ENGL 308 or ENVS 408) (3)
    • Additional Science (BIOC384 or BIOC 385 or ECOL 320 or MIC 205A & MIC 205L or RNR 384 or) (3)
    • Elective (or Building connections if ENGL 308 is not completed) (3)
    • GE Core: Social Scientist (3)
  • 6th Semester
    • Internship (BE 493) (2)
    • Elective (3)
    • Elective (3)
    • Elective (3)
    • GE Core: Building Connections (3)
• Fourth Year
  • 7th Semester
    • Career and Professionalism (BAT 496A) (1)
    • Applied Biostatistics (BAT 413) (3)
    • Biosystems Analytics (BAT 434) (3)
    • Elective (3)
    • Elective (3)
    • GE Core: Building connections (3)
  • 8th Semester
    • Senior Capstone (BAT 498) (3)
    • Remote Sensing Data and Methods (BAT 485 Spring) (3)
    • Elective (3)
    • Elective (3)
    • General Education Portfolio (Exit Course) (1)